A CAMPAIGN born in west Dorset to introduce a new law preventing dogs from being off the lead around livestock has secured the support of the Farming Minister.

Chris Loder, the MP for West Dorset, met with Farming Minister Victoria Prentis last week, later confirming that the government had made a clear commitment to support his request for legislation to amend the law.

The Gladis' Law campaign began in May, following the death of Gladis, a four-year-old heavily pregnant Highland cow.

Gladis fell 40 feet to her death after being chased by two off-lead dogs at Eggardon Hill Farm, near Askerswell.

The group behind the campaign, including Gladis’ owner Cameron Farquharson and Mr Loder, want the law changed in order to give livestock more protection.

Mr Loder said: “Irresponsible people who let their dogs roam in fields with cows and sheep that attack livestock need to understand it is not acceptable and it should be punishable by law. Livestock worrying often leads to tragedy both for the animals, and for the farmer and their family. It’s time for a new law to hold dog owners to account.”

Calls have been increasing for dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead whilst around livestock but attacks have continued to happen.

Currently it is a criminal offence for a dog to be ‘off a lead or not otherwise under close control’ in a field of livestock.

Campaigners want this changed so owners would have to put their dogs on a lead ‘whenever livestock is present’.

The group behind the campaign recently launched a petition to gather support for the new law.

Sign the petition at www.gladis-law.com